It may not have been as fast and furious as today’s Formula One , but the Ulster Tourist Trophy Races were among the most exciting sports events in Belfast’s history.

Running from 1928 to 1936, they brought together some of Europe’s finest drivers, with German, Italian, French and English superstars vying for the prestigious winner’s medal.

The races took place on the Newtownards-Comber-Dundonald circuit in Co Down , often bringing more than 250,000 spectators.

All the automobiles had different coloured bonnets to show their class and a handicapping system was used.

Our action-packed gallery shows some of the highs and lows from the TT Trophy including eye-watering crashes, drivers sprinting to their cars at the start of the race and others skilfully negotiating tight corners at speed in appalling weather.

Inevitably, some of the most striking images show cars which have spun out of control. The images of Freddie Dixon flying through the air before smashing into a hedgerow in 1932 is breath-taking, especially given the fact he emerged unhurt.

And in the same race, a iconic shot shows driver Goldie Gardner with hardly a scratch standing beside the wreckage of his MG J4.